Fire Suppression Operations End in Latakia

The Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed Al-Saleh, announced the end of the fire suppression operations that recently broke out in the mountains of Latakia province, confirming that the achievement was a result of broad national and popular solidarity, as well as joint field cooperation between state institutions, volunteer teams, and international organizations.

Al-Saleh explained during a joint press conference with the Governor of Latakia, Mohammed Othman, that the field challenges faced by the firefighting teams were significant, including mines, war remnants, strong and shifting winds, rugged terrains, and the absence of firebreaks due to long neglect of forests. He warned that the real disaster is not only in what we have lost, but in its future repercussions, including the danger of erosion, soil loss, and vegetation cover loss, amidst a drought and climate change wave that is the worst in decades.

Al-Saleh pointed out that the ministry relied on an early warning center for weather factors that regularly monitored wind speeds and directions at the fire sites, resulting in the preparation of precise intervention strategies from the operations room, in addition to using satellite images and thermal and regular drones to identify fire hotspots, directly contributing to accelerating fire control.

Al-Saleh also mentioned that the ministry will soon start installing an early fire alarm system as part of a comprehensive plan, including establishing a national forest protection system and enhancing the participation of local communities, emphasizing that "the fire has ended, but the mission has not ended, and today our real mission begins to bring life back to these mountains."

The Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management expressed gratitude to the teams coming from Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Qatar, and to all the volunteer teams that played a crucial role in logistical support, as well as the state ministries and institutions that worked harmoniously and responsibly. He said, "You all have created a humanitarian epic that will remain immortal in the memory of this nation, and you were a shining example of solidarity and cooperation."